Submersible cleaning gun

ABSTRACT

A submersible cleaning gun having a working nozzle which discharges a jet of pressurized water against the surfaces of submerged bodies. The support for the working nozzle carries a reaction nozzle which discharges pressurized water in a direction counter to the direction of discharge from the working nozzle to thus facilitate underwater manipulation of the gun. The support for the nozzles carries one or more inflatable and deflatable floats which determine the buoyancy of the gun. A handle is used to adjust the floats as well as to adjust a steering flap at the rear end of the gun.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Paul Hammelman Zum Sundern 17, 474 Oelde Westphalia; Heinz Lettmann, lm Schilffeld 19, 4832 Wiedenbruck, both of, Germany [21] Appl. No. 787,535 [22] Filed Dec. 27,1968 [45] Patented May 25, 1971 [32] Priority Dec. 29, 1967 [33] Germany [31] P 15 31 571.6

[54] SUBMERSIBLE CLEANING GUN 14 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[521 US. Cl 239/419.5, 134/167, 239/526 [51] Int. Cl B051) 7/02 [50} Field of Search 239/418, 419, 525, 526, 419.5; 134/167, 167 C, 168 C [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,125,445 8/1938 Holveck 239/599 Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr Assistant Examiner-Michael Y. Mar Attorney-Michael S. Striker ABSTRACT: A submersible cleaning gun having a working nozzle which discharges a jet of pressurized water against the surfaces of submerged bodies. The support for the working nozzle carries a reaction nozzle which discharges pressurized water in a direction counter to the direction of discharge from the working nozzle to thus facilitate underwater manipulation of the gun. The support for the nozzles carries one or more inflatable and deflatable floats which determine the buoyancy of the gun. A handle is used to adjust the floats as well as to adjust a steering flap at the rear end of the gun.

Patented May 25, 1971 3,580,511

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Meir ll/ome y SUBMERSIBLE CLEANING GUN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for discharging directed streams of pressurized fluid below the surface of a body of water, and more particularly to improvements in socalled underwater guns which can be used to clean surfaces of submerged structures.

It is known to employ submersible devices for cleaning of submerged bodies, for example, to clean submerged portions of hulls of watercraft, sluice gates, metallic structural members which extend into the bottom below a body of water, walls of submerged enclosures, and like structures. The cleaning work is normally performed by resorting to revolving brushes or to guns which discharge jets of highly pressurized water. Cleaning with brushes is not satisfactory, particularly for removal of deposits from large surfaces, because the brushing operation is slow and invariably leaves some residues on the surface so that a coat of paint or other protective material which is applied thereover is likely to peel off after a short period of time.

A drawback of presently known underwater guns which discharge jets of pressurized water is that they are complicated due to the provision of means for counteracting reaction forces which develop when the working nozzle discharges a jet of water against a submerged surface. Furthermore, the material which is removed by a jet of pressurized fluid floats in water adjacent to the area to be cleaned and obscures the vision of divers. Additional problems arise in connection with manipulation of known submersible water guns and also because the diver cannot stay in an optimum position with reference to the submerged body. It is customary to secure the diver in position by magnets or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved submersible water gun which can be readily manipulated by a single diver, wherein reaction forces developing on discharge of pressurized fluid from the working nozzle or nozzles are counteracted in a novel and improved way, and whose maneuverability under water is superior to that of presently known guns.

Another object of the invention is to provide a submersible water gun with novel and improved means for counteracting reaction forces which develop on discharge of pressurized fluid against a submerged surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide the submersible gun with novel means for preventing turbulence at the working station.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a submersible gun which can be held at a desired distance from the surface to be cleaned and wherein the jet of pressurized fluid is not braked at all or is subjected to negligible retarding forces in the space between the orifices of the working nozzle and the surface to be cleaned.

Still another object of the invention is to provide the gun with novel means for manipulating it under water and with novel means for regulating its buoyancy.

The invention is embodied in an apparatus for discharging directed streams or jets of pressurized fluid (preferably water) to clean surfaces of bodies which are submerged in water. The apparatus comprises a submersible support, first nozzle means installed in or on the support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a first direction whereby the thus discharged fluid can be directed against a submerged body, reaction nozzle means installed in or on the support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a second direction counter to the first direction so that the reaction nozzle means produces forces which counteract forces developing on discharge of pressurized fluid from the first nozzle means, and means for supplying pressurized fluid to the nozzle means. The apparatus preferably further comprised one or more floats, for example,

inflatable and deflatable tanks of rubber or the like, which control the buoyancy of apparatus under water.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a cleaning gun which embodies one form of our invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view as seen in the direction of arrow II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a second cleaning gun;

FIG. 4 is a transverse vertical section as seen in the direction of arrows from the line lV-IV of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view of a third cleaning gun.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. I illustrates a cleaning gun which comprises a tubular support or holder 7 for a first nozzle or working nozzle I having a centrally located orifice which discharges a jet of highly pressurized liquid fluid in a direction to the left so that such fluid can be directed against a submerged body, not shown. A second nozzle or reaction nozzle 2 has an orifice which discharges pressurized fluid in a direction counter to the direction of fluid discharge from the orifice of the nozzle 1. The nozzle 2 discharges into an injector 3 and its reaction is greater than that of the working nozzle 1. This insures that the diver who manipulates the cleaning gun can be moved toward the body which requires cleaning and that his own movements as well as manipulation of the gun during cleaning require a minimum of effort. The injector 3 discharges fluid into a mixing nozzle 4. The injector 3 is preferably of annular shape to insure that the apparatus may employ a relatively short mixing nozzle 4.

The orifice of the working nozzle 1 is preferably designed to discharge a flat stream of pressurized fluid (between 30 and This nozzle I is surrounded by a first or inner funnel 5 with two flat sides which is sealingly secured to the left-hand end of the support 7. The funnel 5 has one or more inlet openings 8 connected to a flexible hose 9 the upper end of which is secured to a snorkel 10. A buoy 10a or the like holds the inlet of the snorkel 10 above the water surface so that the interior of the funnel 5 (which is under vacuum when the working nozzle I discharges pressurized fluid by way of the I discharge opening at the left-hand end of the funnel) can draw atmospheric air by way of the snorkel I0, hose 9 and opening or openings 8. When the gun is started, fluid which is discharged at a high speed from the working nozzle 1 withdraws water from the interior of the inner funnel 5 and thereupon causes the funnel to draw air from the snorkel 10. The thus drawn air ofiers little resistance to the jet of fluid which is discharged by the orifice of the working nozzle i, i.e., much less than if the interior of the funnel 5 were filled with water.

A second or outer funnel 6 surrounds with clearance the inner funnel 5 and is connected with the injector 3 by way of a third funnel or sleeve 19. When the second nozzle 2 discharges pressurized fluid into the mixing nozzle 4, such fluid draws water into the left-hand end of the outer funnel 6 whereby the thus drawn water entrains dirt and other matter which might obscure the vision of the diver at the point where the jet issuing from the orifice of the working nozzle 1 performs its cleaning action. The mixing nozzle 4 has an extension or diffuser 20 which accommodates an adjustable steering flap l2 tumable with reference to a horizontal pivot structure 11 (see also FIG. 2). The control means for adjusting the inclination of the flap 12 comprises a linkage 14 which is outwardly adjacent to the parts 19, 20 and a manually operated actuating member or handle 13 which can swivel about a pivot member 13a on the funnel 19 to thereby move the linkage 14. The reaction of the nozzle 2 exceeds the reaction of nozzle 1 by one or more kilopounds; therefore, the diver who manipulates the handle 13 can readily control the gun under water with a high degree of precision. In order to insure that the gun will not tend to sink, the support 7 or another part which is mounted on the support carries one or more floats 17 which contribute to and regulate the buoyancy of the gun. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the float 17 includes a deformable tank, e.g., an inflatable balloon of rubber or other suitable elastomeric material. The handle 13 has a sleevelike handgrip portion 15 which can be manipulated by hand to pivot at 13a and to thereby adjust the inclination of the steering flap 12. Furthermore, the sleeve 15 is preferably rotatable on the inner part of the handle 13 to thereby regulate an adjustable valve 16 which can permit escape of air or other suitable gas from the interior of the tank 17 at a desired rate. The valve 16 is preferably a three-way valve which can permit evacuation of fluid from the tank 17 and can also connect the tank with a source of compressed gaseous fluid, not shown. The device which supplies pressurized liquid fluid (for example, water) to the nozzles 1 and 2 is shown at 30. This device has a trigger 31 which can be depressed to initiate admission of pressurized fluid. By regulating the position of the valve 16, the diver can change the buoyancy of the gun.

The support 7 (or a part which is connected thereto) further carries one of more underwater lamps 32 which illuminate the area to be cleaned by jets issuing from the orifice of the working nozzle 1. Furthermore, the outer funnel 6 preferably carries one or more suitable distancing members 18 which enable the diver to hold the orifice of the working nozzle 1 at a desired distance from the surface to be cleaned. Such distancing members 18 may constitute wheels or rollers which can roll along the surface of a submerged body. Alternatively, the members 18 may constitute sleds or like parts which can be shifted with little friction. The apparatus preferably comprises two distancing members 18 each of which is adjacent to one flat side of the outer funnel 6. The numeral 33 denotes an auxiliary handle which can be grasped by the other hand of the diver to facilitate manipulation under water.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a second submersible cleaning gun which is similar to the gun of FIGS. 1 and 2. Those parts which are clearly analogous are denoted by numerals similar to those employed in FIGS. 1 and 2 but each followedby a prime. The second nozzle 2' is remote from the working nozzle 1' and is centered in the injector 3 by radially adjustable screws 34 (see particularly FIG. 4). The extension is omitted and the linkage 14 is employed to shift the mixing nozzle 4' axially with reference to the nozzle 2'.

In the apparatus of FIG. 5, the injector is omitted so that fluid issuing from the orifice of the nozzle 2" enters directly into the mixing nozzle 4". This mixing nozzle 4 is movable axially with reference to the nozzle 2" in the same way as shown in FIG. 3.

Certain recent types of paints and lacquers were developed for the specific purpose of application to surfaces which are submerged in water. Such materials can be applied only when the surfaces to be coated are properly and thoroughly cleaned. Therefore, submersible water guns which can rapidly and satisfactorily clean large surfaces under water are gaining increasing importance in certain industries. Such recent types of paints can be applied without resorting to caissons. Our improved gun has been found to be particularly suited for such type of work, not only to clean surfaces of stationary submerged bodies but also to clean submerged portions of hulls on large transoceanic tankers and other bulky watercraft. Presently available dry docks are too small for large tankers so that such vessels must be cleaned while their hulls extend into water. Furthermore, the number of available dry docks is insufficient to accommodate all such large vessels which require periodic cleaning and coating with layers of protective paint or lacquer.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects or our contribution to the art.

What we claim as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

1. Apparatus for discharging directed streams of pressurized fluid, particularly a gun for cleaning of surfaces which are submerged in water, comprising a submersible support; first nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a first direction so that the thus discharged fluid can be directed against a submerged surface; reaction nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a second direction counter to said first direction; means for supplying pressurized fluid to said nozzle means; and injector means receiving pressurized fluid from said reaction nozzle means. I

2. Apparatus for discharging directed streams of pressurized fluid, particularly a gun for cleaning of surfaces which are submerged in water, comprising a submersible support; first nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a first direction so that the thus discharged fluid can be directed against a submerged surface; a flat funnel surrounding said first nozzle means; reaction nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a second direction counter to said first direction;.and means for supplying pressurized fluid to said nozzle means.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, further comprising float means connected with said support.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, further comprising manually operated actuating means provided on said support and an operative connection between said actuating means and said steering means. i

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the orifice of said first nozzle means is arranged to discharge a flat stream of pressurized fluid.

6. Apparatus for discharging directed streams of pressurized fluid, particularly a gun for cleaning of surfaces which are submerged in water, comprising a submersible support; first nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a first direction so that the thus discharged fluid can be directed against a submerged surface; a funnel surrounding said first nozzle means, the fluid discharged from the orifice of said first nozzle means passing through an opening of said funnel to thereby create suction in said funnel; means for connecting the funnel with the atmosphere so that the funnel draws air when said first nozzle means discharges fluid; reaction nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a second direction counter to said first direction; and means for supplying pressurized fluid to said nozzle means.

7. Apparatus for discharging directed streams of pressurized fluid, particularly a gun for cleaning of surfaces which are submerged in water, comprising a submersible support; first nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a first direction so that the thus discharged fluid can be directed against a submerged surface; a first funnel surrounding said first nozzle means and connected with the atmosphere to draw air when the orifice of said first nozzle means discharges fluid; reaction nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a second direction counter to said first direction; a second funnel surrounding said first funnel; a third funnel connected with said second funnel and surrounding said reaction nozzle means to draw water by way of said second funnel when said reaction nozzle means discharges fluid; and means for supplying pressurized fluid to said nozzle means.

8. Apparatus for discharging directed streams of pressurized fluid, particularly a gun for cleaning of surfaces which are submerged in water, comprising a submersible support; first nozzle means carried'by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a first direction so that the thus discharged fluid can be directed against a submerged surface; reaction nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a second direction counter to said first direction; means forsupplying pressurized fluid to said nozzle means; mixing means mounted on said support to receive fluid which is discharged by said reaction nozzle means; and adjustable steering means provided in said mixing means to facilitate underwater maneuvering of said support.

9. Apparatus for discharging directed streams of pressurized fluid, particularly a gun for cleaning of surfaces which are submerged in water, comprising a submersible support; first nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a first direction so that the thus discharged fluid can be directed against a submerged surface; reaction nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a second direction counter to said first direction; means for supplying pressurized fluid to said nozzle means; and float means connected to said support, said float means comprising at least one inflatable tank.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said tank is a gas-filled balloon of elastomeric material.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising adjustable valve means for controlling discharge and admission of a gas which is entrapped in said tank.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising manually operated rotary adjusting means for said valve means.

13. A submersible cleaning gun, comprising a submersible support; a working nozzle carried by said support and having an orifice arranged to discharge a stream of pressurized fluid so that such fluid can be directed against and can clean a submerged surface; a first funnel carried by said support and surrounding said nozzle; means for connecting said funnel with the atmosphere; injector means remove from said working nozzle; and a second funnel surrounding said first funnel and communicating with said injector means so that the latter can draw water by way of said second funnel.

14. A submersible cleaning gun, comprising a submersible support; a working nozzle carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge a stream of pressurized fluid which can be directed against and can clean a submerged surface; a reaction nozzle carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge a second stream of pressurized fluid in a direction counter to the direction of discharge of said first mentioned stream; an injector carried by said support and positioned to receive fluid from said reaction nozzle; an elongated tubular extension connected with said injector and having an outlet for discharge of fluid into water; a steering flap pivotally mounted in said outlet; and manually operated actuating means provided on said support for pivoting said flap. 

1. Apparatus for discharging directed streams of pressurized fluid, particularly a gun for cleaning of surfaces which are submerged in water, comprising a submersible support; first nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a first direction so that the thus discharged fluid can be directed against a submerged surface; reaction nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a second direction counter to said first direction; means for supplying pressurized fluid to said nozzle means; and injector means receiving pressurized fluid from said reaction nozzle means.
 2. Apparatus for discharging directed streams of pressurized fluid, particularly a gun for cleaning of surfaces which are submerged in water, comprising a submersible support; first nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a first direction so that the thus discharged fluid can be directed against a submerged surface; a flat funnel surrounding said first nozzle means; reaction nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a second direction counter to said first direction; and means for supplying pressurized fluid to said nozzle means.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, further comprising float means connected with said support.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, further comprising manually operated actuating means provided on said support and an operative connection between said actuating means and said steering means.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the orifice of said first nozzle means is arranged to discharge a flat stream of pressurized fluid.
 6. ApParatus for discharging directed streams of pressurized fluid, particularly a gun for cleaning of surfaces which are submerged in water, comprising a submersible support; first nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a first direction so that the thus discharged fluid can be directed against a submerged surface; a funnel surrounding said first nozzle means, the fluid discharged from the orifice of said first nozzle means passing through an opening of said funnel to thereby create suction in said funnel; means for connecting the funnel with the atmosphere so that the funnel draws air when said first nozzle means discharges fluid; reaction nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a second direction counter to said first direction; and means for supplying pressurized fluid to said nozzle means.
 7. Apparatus for discharging directed streams of pressurized fluid, particularly a gun for cleaning of surfaces which are submerged in water, comprising a submersible support; first nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a first direction so that the thus discharged fluid can be directed against a submerged surface; a first funnel surrounding said first nozzle means and connected with the atmosphere to draw air when the orifice of said first nozzle means discharges fluid; reaction nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a second direction counter to said first direction; a second funnel surrounding said first funnel; a third funnel connected with said second funnel and surrounding said reaction nozzle means to draw water by way of said second funnel when said reaction nozzle means discharges fluid; and means for supplying pressurized fluid to said nozzle means.
 8. Apparatus for discharging directed streams of pressurized fluid, particularly a gun for cleaning of surfaces which are submerged in water, comprising a submersible support; first nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a first direction so that the thus discharged fluid can be directed against a submerged surface; reaction nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a second direction counter to said first direction; means for supplying pressurized fluid to said nozzle means; mixing means mounted on said support to receive fluid which is discharged by said reaction nozzle means; and adjustable steering means provided in said mixing means to facilitate underwater maneuvering of said support.
 9. Apparatus for discharging directed streams of pressurized fluid, particularly a gun for cleaning of surfaces which are submerged in water, comprising a submersible support; first nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a first direction so that the thus discharged fluid can be directed against a submerged surface; reaction nozzle means carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge pressurized fluid in a second direction counter to said first direction; means for supplying pressurized fluid to said nozzle means; and float means connected to said support, said float means comprising at least one inflatable tank.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said tank is a gas-filled balloon of elastomeric material.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising adjustable valve means for controlling discharge and admission of a gas which is entrapped in said tank.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising manually operated rotary adjusting means for said valve means.
 13. A submersible cleaning gun, comprising a submersible support; a working nozzle carried by said support and having an orifice arranged to discharge a stream of pressurized fluid so that such fluid can be directed against and can clean a submerged surface; a first funnel carried by said support and surrounding said nozzle; means for connecting said funnel with the atmosphere; injector means remove from said working nozzle; and a second funnel surrounding said first funnel and communicating with said injector means so that the latter can draw water by way of said second funnel.
 14. A submersible cleaning gun, comprising a submersible support; a working nozzle carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge a stream of pressurized fluid which can be directed against and can clean a submerged surface; a reaction nozzle carried by said support and having at least one orifice arranged to discharge a second stream of pressurized fluid in a direction counter to the direction of discharge of said first mentioned stream; an injector carried by said support and positioned to receive fluid from said reaction nozzle; an elongated tubular extension connected with said injector and having an outlet for discharge of fluid into water; a steering flap pivotally mounted in said outlet; and manually operated actuating means provided on said support for pivoting said flap. 